Person of the Week: Aleksandr Sotnik

On 20 September 2016 journalist Aleksandr Sotnik, known for running a video channel called Sotnik-TV that takes an anti-Kremlin stance, announced in a video posted on You Tube that he had left Russia in fear of his life. As RFE/RL reported on 21 September, in the video Aleksandr Sotnik said he had received threats in a telephone call. The unknown caller said: "We are going to tolerate you until October and after that we will transfer you to a vegetable department."

Aleksandr Sotnik said that he was currently in Georgia and intended to remain there for the time being. He also said he would continue his online video broadcasts from there.

Aleksandr Sotnik has been running Sotnik-TV on YouTube for five years. As RFE/RL notes, Sotnik "has criticized the Russian leadership, including President Vladimir Putin, and expressed support to Ukraine in its fight against Russia-backed separatists."